PARIS, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The motorcade of the Asian-European Tour emerged triumphant after they arrived in Paris on October 1st, completing an 18,000-kilometer journey that left from Guangzhou on August 31. The envoys, driving GAC MOTOR GS5 sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), were greeted with warm welcome and a storm of applause at Eiffel Tower.

The 2014 Great Tour, a major event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties, passed through more than 30 cities across the Eurasian landmass, leaving its footprint in a clutch of great countries including China, Russia, Germany and France.

The GAC MOTOR GS5 SUVs were selected for this cultural expedition and the model lived up to the organizers' expectations, safeguarding the envoys in a month-long journey without a single technical glitch taking place.

During a grand ceremony to celebrate the successful conclusion of the tour, vice mayor of La Seine-Saint-Denis awarded medals to the envoys as all of the participants were recognized as heroes for their painstaking efforts to overcome all kinds of difficulties on the road. On the ceremony held under the Eiffel Tower, the envoys popped out champagne to not only cheer for the success, but to give a credit to the GS5 vehicles for its tremendous support during the expedition.

The fleet of cars continued to travel around France after the ceremony and drew rave reviews across the country as it enhanced the image of China-based auto brands with a full display of high quality and passing ability. When traffic conditions appeared to be good, GAC MOTOR GS5 SUVs could be driven at a galloping speed that reached a maximum of 210km per hour as the envoys from both sides of the Taiwan Straits as well as overseas Chinese residents in countries such as Malaysia, the United States enjoyed the beautiful sceneries along the journey.

The GS5 equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine proved to be a competent all-weather sport vehicle as it adapted to various conditions all the way from bumpy roads, downpour of heavy rains, freezing cold and roads filled with sand stones. Its great passing ability ensured the smooth run of the tour while the drivers escaped several accidents thanks to the GS5's outstanding performance. GS5's fantastic handling and high-quality braking system largely bolstered the drivers' confidence, cementing their belief that the vehicles could safely and successfully safeguard them to finish the expedition.

GAC MOTOR GS5, amid China's efforts to create the strategic concept of a New Silk Road Economic Belt, became a cultural ambassador itself as its excellent performances during the long-distance tour could match to those premium SUVs assembled by top global auto brands.

According to JD Power's China Initial Quality Study in 2012, GAC MOTOR tops its domestic rivals as Chinese people increasingly endorsed their vote of confidence into the local vehicle brands.

The study was based on a survey of 21,181 owners of new vehicles purchased between October 2012 and June 2013.

To date, GAC MOTOR has already secured a footholl in Middle Eastern and South Asian markets. It is now planning a foray into the North American and European markets, a move in line with Chinese companies' go-outbound drive.